Contract law has a significant function in economic production in modern industrial and agrarian economies in which independent Zambia also has a share. The contractual basis in limited companies is the ability of a given number of persons to subscribe for shares in that company. Shares in registered companies are, therefore, important legal vehicles through which private savings can be and are channected into productive units. Companies can thus be regarded as contractual institutions. Contract law has a significant function in economic production in modern industrial and agrarian economies in which independent Zambia also has a share.

The recent political upheaval in Iran has once again emphasised how important the supply of oil from the Middle East is for the energy requirements of Western countries. While economists, politicians and other interested parties assess the global implications of recent developments in that area, lawyers can reflect on the outcome of a recently decided legal battle precipitated by the last (1973/74) oil crisis.

The author suggests that a closer integration of analytical jurisprudence with legal anthropology can result in a theoretically coherent, more uniform methodological approach to the study of preliterate or customary law.

The case of Yorigami v Nissho-Iwai 1978 2 SA 391 CPD, on appeal to the full bench from a judgment of Friedman 1977 4 SA 682 (C), arose out of the dismissed application by the appellant for an order setting aside the attachment of a certain tug ad fumdandam jurisdictionem or ad confirmandam jurisdictionem or, in the alternative, for an amendment of that order.

The effect of defective products which have been mass produced can be tremendous, resulting in a widespread loss of image. The question which arises and which it is the object of this article to answer is what legal protection is available to consumers in this regard.